Rod Spohn

My first Benz Is/was a '84 190E. great car so I just purchased a '96 S320 . Everything is great ( Except) The issue is the rear view mirror. all electrical works but do to the plasic housing it will not stay in place. Question, can the plastic housing be replace without buying a whole unit? I can see in theOwner's Manual how to set a station on the radio. I'm sure its simple but need some help.
Last are there any things I should look for or address that are common problems with this year/model ? Thanks for any and all input.

dlafever

Rod,

The mirror housing is not separately replaceable, however some folks have had luck tightening the nut around the mounting post to cure a loose mirror. Mostly this mirror gets loose because other drivers do not realize it is powered and try to adjust it manually.

As for the radio tuning, unless something is dramatically different for the 1996 MY, you just tune to the station you want to preset and then hold one of the preset buttons until it beeps.

Regards,

-D

Rod Spohn

I have to thank you for your info. I took the mirror apart and the stem is firm platic pieces fell out when I opened it. Your right I didn't realize its powered. I'll have to check out the owners Manual ! After work I'll try the radio again. I tried what you said and it just kept jumping back to the previously programed station. I may have to hold it longer & it may return to the station I want.
Rod

dlafever

Glad to help Rod, on the radio programming . . . I have noticed that when your are holding the button, it will jump back to the previous preset for about 2 seconds, keep holding it until it tunes to your preferred station.

Regards,

-D

Rod Spohn

I Went to BAP to get new whipper Blades and the quoted just under $100 for one side and just over $100 for the other. Is this for real ? If so what other options does anyone know of. IE aftermarket, Size change etc.
I'll be calling the dealer today since I do find it hard to believe.
Thanks for any help.
Rod
'96 S320

dlafever

Yeah, that is the BAP for real price. The dealer will have them for about the same, if not more. You will be much better off and have money left for dinner if you just buy the inserts. I bought mine from Phoenix Motors about three months ago and I think it was about $40/set. They are easy to replace. If you have time (since our next rain here in AZ will be in August or so) you may want to order them from a place like www.buymbparts.com, they are one of my favorites. It looks like their complete set for your car is $29.33, p/n P7042-51092. Their set is not as easy to install as the set I got from PMC (Phoenix Motors), but should be of similar quality.

Here are the part numbers if you go to the dealer -- they like it when you have part numbers!

Co-Driver's side refill 140 824 01 27
Driver's side refill 140 824 03 27

Regards,

-D

Rod Spohn

I ordered the inserts online from your sugjested place. I'll let you know how (easy or not) they are to install. I know my blades never get old they just get sun rot or melted on the windshield. Every two year kind of like a battery. The joys of living in the Valley of the Sun. My favorit used parts place for my old 190E is TriStar Pete but they don't have anything for this Car I guess.

Hay thanks again
Rod

dlafever

Rod,

Please contact Pete for all of your parts, they can certainly get you anything you could get from the dealer in addition to years of experienced parts and parts that are exclusively "Order from Germany". Pete, Mike and Jerry are good buds of mine and really look out for the good folks.

Regards,

-D

Rod Spohn

With my '84 190E Jerry has been a real help. They got in one with the color interior I needed and for a reasonable price I was able to get most of the parts I needed to restore the interior. Jerry told me they had no 320s but maybe he would be able to order things for me. Or some parts may be interchangable. He'll probably be the best place to start with to get the rearview mirror fixed.
I took the S320 on my first real freeway etc trip up to Globe this weekend. It just wants to run, and it corners beyond any other auto I'v owned.
Not that I'll be able to aford them right away but any ideas on the place to find crome Mercedes wheels?

Thanks
Rod

Rod Spohn

In reading through the owners manual it says my S320 has daylight running lights. Is this true and if so they are not working. Is there a relay ? if so where is it etc. The manual shows things for the 420, 500 also so I'm not sure its talking about all have this feture or just some. It does have a sensor on the dash so feel it should have on the S320.

Thanks once again

Rod

JAM

The sensor on the dash is the sun sensor for the climate control. My manual does not say anything about DRLs. Are you perhaps referring to the standing lights, which activate when the headlamp switch is turned to the 2 positions at the extreme left? They will only come on when the car is powered off.

dlafever

Rod,

I think I have found the part of the manual which talks about DRL. It is in the Exterior Lamp Switch area:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exterior Lamp Switch

Canada only:
When the engine is running and the selector lever is in a driving
position, the low beam (includes parking lamps, side marker
lamps, taillamps and license plate lamps) are automatically
switched on.

When shifting from a driving position to position "N" or "P", the
low beam switches off (2 seconds delay).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE that the "Canada only" would preclude your car from having them, unless of course you have a Canada-market car or it was retrofitted.

Regards,

-D

Rod Spohn

Thanks for all the Help !! It isn't in need of much, but I want to bring this car back to 100% No DLR is a good thing I guess, one less thing to fix. I received the Whipper blades yesterday but didn't try to put them on yet. Now that I have The Number I'll see if someone can order them for me at a better price.

One more new Issue... Light came on that indicates a bulb out. It was the third Break light. I was going to find a bulb and change but before I could it started working again. OK fine, but then today on the way to work it came on again ( same bulb). Once again I'll check it this weekend but was wondering if this was a common problem with the car or who know, maybe its just a loose bulb.

Rod

dlafever

I recently had that problem with my S420, it finally blew. The sad part is that you cannot find that bulb (20W halogen) at the local parts stores, but I bet the guys at Pete's could get it for you.

The part number on my receipt is 910152-000172 and I paid about $8 at the dealer, although it took them about 20 minutes to locate the correct bulb after trying to sell me the wrong one twice!

Look at the metal base of the bulb, it should have the 20W marking on it.

-D

Rod Spohn

I went to Pete's @ lunch today and forgot to ask about the Brake light. He was educating me on my car Etc. I
did ask about the mirror. No luck gewtting one from them, he has spent hours looking for other people with no luck and said the dealer would be around $1500.00 . I think I'll find a way to fix it and make do for now. They told me it should have a joy stick type control for the rearview mirror! Does your S420 have one? I believe mine doesn't have that feature.

They also where telling me I should stear clear of crome wheels !!! Good to know I guess since I like MB crome wheels.

D, I'll have to start a file of all the Part numbers & places to find them that you have shared with me. I hope I can pass on the favor one day.

Rod

dlafever

I concur on the chromies, I like the natural polish look of my stock 8-hole rims, although a nice set of 18" AMG's would be nice too!

As for the joystick, there is a multifunction knob on the left side of the lower console. You will notice that it has four pics on it, left outside mirror, right outside mirror, rearview mirror and then a pic at side closest to you for electronically folding the side mirrors. This button can be used like a joystick to adjust the rearview mirror, simply turn it to the 12 o'clock position and then move it in the direction you want the mirror to go.

Glad to help on the part numbers, I have been a geek too long to think about something without associating a number with it!

-D

JAM

The third brake light is a notorious problem with the W140. what happens is that the socket starts to detiorate from electrical arcing. You might find that even a new bulb will not help to eliminate the bad bulb message. You can temporarily alleviate by gently bending the pins to better contact the bulb. If you have a Starmark warranty on the car, that will cover replacement of the entire unit.

Enjoy your new ride, the S320V is a fantastic car. The performance that Benz is able to get out of a six cylinder engine in that heavy of a vehicle is simply amazing.

dlafever

JAM, your point is well made, I was intent on fixing the problem so I tested the bulb I had (with a 9v battery) to make sure it was dead. Perhaps there is a new brake light assembly in my future as well.

-D

Rod Spohn

D- installed the new Blades yesterday. Wasn't all that big a deal, though having to use old metal guides was strange to me. But if thats why they cost so much less, well, it was worth it. Still after all this I don't see anything to justify the added cost. Looks like evey other blade in the world !!!!

Also took the rear veiw apart. Not much to it and its not powered. All the electric is totally separate from the housing. seems like I sould be able to find a used one and fix the problem. Pete's thought it was powered with Garage door etc controls, but at least at first look it looks pretty basic except for the remote sencer that mounts to the bottom.

Rod Spohn

JAM, I to am amazed at the power and performance of this car its been a joy to drive. I'm greatful that someone took such good care of this car. I was detailing it at the car wash and someone checking it out asked if it was a '03 or '04 ( Temp Plate made them assume I guess ). I understand they don't know MB but its a testimny of how good it looks.

Thanks for the info on the third brake light.

Rod

1996 S320
1984 190E (For Sale)

s0vietbenz

Hey welcome to mbworld, The rear view mirror are electricly adjusted. If you sit in the drivers seat, look down you will see the button to adjust the mirrors. Right in front of it you will see a knob type looking thing. That is your rear view mirror and side mirror adjustment tool.

barry S320V

with mine the running lights come on when you put the car in gear.Barry

joef

Sorry to revive an old thread. I'm trying to get my DRL's going in my car. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

oldsinner111

Don't try 20w50 oil,it will cause filter to suck up.I run 15w40 diesel oil in the summer,and 5w40 sync diesel oil in winter.Its better than gas motor oils.
IMPORTANT,order a service dipstick for the transmission.Do change your fluid every 30,000miles.